By Oluwaseyi Otitoju
In a strategic step to strengthen the ties between the Raw Materials Research and Development Council and the Russian Trade Commission, the Director General of the RMRDC Professor Nnannyelugo Ike-Muonso met with the Russian Trade Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Max Petrov to discuss the areas relating to build in country capacities in raw materials development and trainings for key stakeholders in the raw materials development sector. The meeting held today, Friday 16th May at the Russian Trade Commission.
Professor Ike- Muonso informed Mr Max Petrov that the Council had a 30% value addition bill to raw materials currently awaiting the accent of the National Assembly and emphasized the fact that the bill is a significant transition for the nation from exporting virgin raw materials to become a nation with a strong capacity in the requisite process technologies for its raw materials.
The D. G. said, ” Once the bill has been accented to it will underpin all activities that revolve around the development of the nation’s raw materials. This is an important step for the nation and a significant development on the continent because it will change the trajectory of its future to one of hope and industrial excellence.”
He further said that the Council is willing to learn from the extensive expertise that Russia has in technological advancements in agriculture, mining and other areas relevant to the nation’s determination to add value to its raw materials before they are exported.”
You Might AlsoLike
The Director General also informed the Russian Trade Commissioner that the Council’s role as a parasatal of the Federal Government of the country, is primarily to promote raw materials development, boost the cultivation of specifically identified agricultural materials which have industrial importance, provide credible information about the quality and availability of raw materials. These statutory functions make it a distinct entity from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, FMAFS.
He noted that the Council has developed a functioning National Raw Materials Information Management System (NRMIMS) which Russia can help to deepen the scope by its expertise. He also invited Mr. Max Petrov to the Africa Raw Materials Summit (ARMS) holding from the 20th to the 22nd of May 2025 at the Intercontinental Hotel, Abuja.
Also speaking at the meeting was the Technical Adviser to the D. G. on International Collaboration Dr. Brenda Max. According to her, “Russia can work with the Council in the area of introducing improved equipment for agricultural produce and processing which will have an immense impact on its raw materials sector.”
Responding, Mr Max Petrov, the Russian Trade Commissioner said his country is willing to work with the Council to ensure that the nation’s capacity in developing process technologies and requisite trainings as well as building the professional capacities of key stakeholders in the raw materials development sector are achieved.”
The Russian Trade Commissioner also said that he’s willing to serve as a liaison between the Council and interested investors and agriculturalist from Russia. He assured the Director General that he will have a look at the NRMIMS and work with a team of Russian geologists to examine how they can advise the Council on ways to deepen the information it provides on the system. In addition, he said that he will be present at the ARMS and will gladly deliver a speech on agricultural technologies and their relevance to raw materials development in Nigeria.
The Director General was accompanied by the Director of the Planning, Statistics and Policy Department (PSPD), Mrs. R. Kotso; Technical Adviser to the DG RMRDC on International Collaborations, Dr. Brenda Max and others.
